Armed Forces: Predator

Lord Garden: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether any United Kingdom armed forces personnel are qualified to operate the Predator armed drone; and, if so, whether they have done so under operational conditions.

Lord Drayson: A number of United Kingdom armed forces personnel are qualified to operate the Predator unmanned aerial vehicle and have done so under operational conditions.

Aviation: Unauthorised Aircraft

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On how many occasions over the past nine years national security has been put at risk by incursions into United Kingdom airspace by unauthorised aircraft.

Lord Drayson: None.

British Citizenship

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Royall of Blaisdon on 2 May (WA 48), what is the basis for the estimate of 12,000 Nepali beneficiaries set out in the guide to handling Nepalese and Indian applications that is used by the Ethnic Minorities Citizenship Unit of the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong.

Lord Triesman: The figure of 12,000 potential applicants represents our best estimate of those of Nepalese ethnic origin who registered as British nationals (overseas) (BN(O)s). This figure is based on oral information provided by the Hong Kong Immigration Department prior to the handover of Hong Kong to China in June 1997. Since our own BN(O) records do not differentiate between different ethnic origins it is difficult for us to provide an accurate figure.

British Citizenship

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Royall of Blaisdon on 2 May (WA 48), why the content of the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong's website does not reflect current Home Office policy which states that British overseas citizenship can be derived from either the father or the mother of the child in question.

Lord Triesman: British nationality law is highly complex. The website of our consulate-general in Hong Kong does not purport to give comprehensive legal advice on this or any other matter. Rather, the website encourages readers to contact the consular section for specific advice on their individual circumstances. The website also offers a link to the Home Office website should the reader wish to research British Nationality Acts in more detail for themselves.

British Citizenship

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the British High Commission in Singapore has not yet issued a passport to Mr S, whose British overseas citizen passport application it received on or around 5 April, given that the Home Office Nationality Directorate has already confirmed to the High Commission that Mr S is a British overseas citizen under Article 6(1) of the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986.

Lord Triesman: Our High Commission in Singapore has not issued a British overseas citizen passport to Mr S because Mr S has not provided the high commission with the supporting documents required to process his passport application. The high commission informed Mr S that, in order to process his passport application, evidence of his birth in Hong Kong and evidence of his identity were required. It is 10 years since his last passport was issued, and applications made overseas after 10 years are treated as first-time applications. In these cases, applicants are requested to provide supporting documents.

Children: Ophthalmic Testing

Baroness Tonge: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment they have made of the number of primary care trusts offering ophthalmic testing for very small children; and
	What statistics are being collected on the incidence of ophthalmic problems in primary school children.

Lord Warner: Primary care trusts offer ophthalmic testing to very small children where there is a need. The National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services promotes the early identification of onset problems and early intervention. It includes a review of a child's health during the year in which he/she starts school, including vision screening.
	We do not collect statistics on the range of ophthalmic problems experienced by children. However, at 31 March 2003, the last date for which figures are available, the Register of Blind People showed that 725 children under four and 3,230 children aged five to 17 were registered blind. The Register of Partially Sighted People showed that 585 children under four and 4,230 children aged five to 17 were registered partially sighted. The registers can be found at www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/Statistics/StatisticalWorkAreas/StatisticalSocialCare/StatisticalSocialCareArticle/fs/en?CONTENT–ID=4082697&chk=NrtmK1.

Competition Act 1998 (Public Policy Exclusion) Order 2006

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will place in the Library of the House copies of the regulatory impact assessment prepared for the Competition Act 1998 (Public Policy Exclusion) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/605); and whether they will amend the web link referred to in the explanatory note which currently does not work.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Ministry of Defence has placed copies of the regulatory impact assessment in the Libraries of both Houses. The web link contained in the explanatory note to the order has been adjusted to ensure it functions correctly. I apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Conflict Prevention

Baroness Tonge: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What changes have been made in the way the global and Africa conflict prevention pools operate since the evaluation made in July 2004.

Lord Triesman: Since the external evaluation of the conflict prevention pools by Bradford University in March 2004, the pools have retained the same structure but have taken a series of steps aimed at improving their operation. The focus of this effort has been on: improving conflict analysis and joint cross-departmental strategy planning, with greater emphasis on where action by the UK can be most effective and leverage international effort; more rigorous prioritisation of pool spending; improving programme and financial management; better training and guidance for staff engaged in the work of the pools and enhancing co-operation and sharing of experience with relevant non-governmental organisations.

Conflict Prevention

Baroness Tonge: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What training in conflict prevention and resolution has been received by civil servants and Ministers who oversee the global and Africa conflict prevention pools.

Lord Triesman: A variety of training and information resources available for officials and Ministers engaged in conflict prevention and resolution activity within the conflict prevention pools, and in broader policy-making, has been developed.
	Since 2004, members of the cross-departmental teams who manage pool-funded strategies have attended a regular series of meetings aimed at developing conflict expertise and sharing best practice, including on programme and project management. Regular meetings have also been held with non-governmental organisations involved in conflict-related work. Specific training courses aimed at developing conflict skills have also been developed and run by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
	Ministers and officials acting in this area have access to expert advice from a team of dedicated conflict advisers appointed by the three pool departments (the FCO, the Department for International Development and the Ministry of Defence). They also have access to a wide range of intranet-based guidance, aimed at increasing professionalism and improving policy-making on conflict.

Conflict Prevention

Baroness Tonge: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether any consideration has been given to the merger of the global and Africa conflict prevention pools.

Lord Triesman: Following a major external evaluation of the conflict prevention pools by Bradford University in March 2004, the Government reviewed the geographical organisation of the pools and in July 2004 concluded that, in order to ensure effective implementation of the UK's policy on Africa conflict issues, a separate Africa pool remained necessary. It was also judged important to keep a dedicated focus on Africa given the aims of the UK presidencies of the G8 and EU in 2005 and the follow-up to them. The Government will review the relationship between the Africa and global pools as part of the 2007 comprehensive spending review.

Conflict Prevention

Baroness Tonge: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the annual cost of the global and Africa conflict prevention pools.

Lord Triesman: The 2004 spending round settlement for the Africa and global conflict prevention pools allocated a combined total of £543.5 million for financial year (FY) 2004-05 to FY 2007-08. The baseline allocations are:
	
		
			 SR04 FY Period Global Conflict Pool baseline allocation Africa Conflict Pool baseline allocation 
			 2004–05 £74 million £60 million 
			 2005–06 £74 million £60 million 
			 2006–07 £74 million £63 million 
			 2007–08 £74 million £64.5 million

Conflict Prevention

Baroness Tonge: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What discussions they have held with members of the global conflict prevention pool regarding Iran.

Lord Triesman: There have been some informal discussions at official level about possible global conflict prevention pool project work relating to Iran. However, the Government have not used the global conflict prevention pool to fund any projects in, or pertaining to, Iran.

Diego Garcia

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend to pay compensation to those islanders seeking to return to their home areas in the Diego Garcia islands; and, if so, whether the level of compensation will take account of inflation.

Lord Triesman: Compensation has already been paid by the Government to the Chagossians. It was made in two stages: £650,000 was paid to the Government of Mauritius for the benefit of the Chagossians in the early 1970s. This would be £5.5 million at today's prices and was given for the express purpose of assisting resettlement.
	Under a 1982 agreement between the Government, the Government of Mauritius and representatives of the Chagossians, a further £4 million was paid by the Government into a trust fund for the benefit of the registered Chagossians. This was a full and final settlement of any claims that they might have had. This would be £9 million at today's prices. In addition, the Government of Mauritius made land available to the value of a further £1 million.
	EWHC 2222 (QB) examined thoroughly the circumstances in which the 1982 settlement was reached and accepted it as being in full and final settlement of all claims by those who participated. The judgment also established that the UK had no legal obligation to pay any further compensation. The judgment was upheld by the Court of Appeal in July 2004.

Elections: All-women Shortlists

Lord Norton of Louth: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Evans of Temple Guiting on 11 May (WA 152), whether the Secretary of State for Wales issued an apology on the BBC Wales Politics Show to the people of Blaenau Gwent, on behalf of the national executive, the party leadership and Her Majesty's Government for imposing an all-women shortlist in 2005; and, if so, what is the constitutional basis for apologising on behalf of Her Majesty's Government.

Lord Evans of Temple Guiting: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave him on 11 May 2006 (Official Report, col. WA 152).

EU: External Action Service

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the debate on 4 May (Official Report, cols. 563–65), what are the occasions when the Answer given by the Lord Triesman as to the legality of the European Union's External Action Service was identical to the Answer given at least three times in the past six months, as suggested by the Lord Tomlinson and confirmed by the Lord Triesman.

Lord Triesman: The Government have on three recent occasions stated their belief that a European External Action Service, as envisaged in the EU constitutional treaty, cannot exist without the treaty coming into force or change to existing treaties. My right honourable friend the then Minister for Europe (Douglas Alexander) stated this in another place on 26 October 2005 (Official Report, col. 470W), on 3 May during a Foreign Affairs Committee evidence session and to the Lords EU Select Committee in a supplementary memorandum of 3 November.

Guantanamo Bay

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend to withdraw co-operation with United States authorities and military forces in Iraq until the United States Government close the Guantanamo Bay facility for terrorist suspects, following the request by the Attorney-General.

Lord Triesman: No. The Government will support the Government and people of Iraq over the long term. Our aim is to help the Iraqis build democratic structures, build up their own security forces and develop their economy. Terrorists want to destroy all three. The coalition role in Iraq is changing. As the democratic Iraqi Government do more for their people, the coalition is stepping back.
	On Guantanamo Bay, we have made it clear that we regard the circumstances under which detainees continue to be held there as unacceptable. The US Government know our views. As my right honourable friend the Prime Minister has said repeatedly, and most recently at his press conference on 8 May, it would be better if Guantanamo were closed.

House of Lords: Meat and Poultry

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked the Chairman of Committees:
	What company won the contract 2005/S 220-217248 to supply the House of Lords with meat and poultry; and what steps are taken to ensure that chickens supplied under the contract are not fed on soya grown in the Amazon rainforest (a) on illegally deforested land, and (b) with use of slavery.

Lord Brabazon of Tara: Twenty meat suppliers expressed an interest in supplying the House of Lords, and, after a rigorous tender selection process, three suppliers will be awarded the contract to supply under a framework agreement on 25 May 2006. West End Meats and Fairfax Meadow have been confirmed as of 19 May with the third supplier to be named before the award date.
	All suppliers are obliged to be open and transparent with regard to their supply chain in order to allow full traceability of goods supplied. The House may impose detailed supply specifications in relation to the products bought.

House of Lords: Meat and Poultry

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked the Chairman of Committees:
	How much poultry the House of Lords will buy over the four-year contract 2005/S 220-217248 to supply the House of Lords with meat and poultry.

Lord Brabazon of Tara: The estimated annual spend on poultry supplies based on historical usage will be in the region of £35,000 per annum.

Immigration: Leave to Remain

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether any retrospective effect will be created by recent legal provisions for a maximum reviewable period of five years' leave to remain for asylum and immigration purposes.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement of 19 July 2005, the new provisions giving the Secretary of State the ability to review the cases of refugees in the event of a significant and non-temporary change in country conditions apply only to refugees granted limited leave on or after 30 August. Leave granted to a refugee may, however, be revoked where a refugee is liable to deportation, has obtained leave by deception or otherwise brings themselves within the scope of the 1951 Geneva Refugee Convention's cessation or exclusion clauses through their own actions. This position has not changed as a result of the new policy of granting five years' limited leave to recognised refugees.

Insolvency

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the expected effect of reducing fee IVA1 from £35 to £15 as proposed in the Insolvency Proceedings (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/561).

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Insolvency fees are set in accordance with HM Treasury fees and charges guide which requires that fees should be set only to recover costs. As a result of reviewing this fee during 2005–06 the forecasts showed that fee income would exceed costs. This surplus has arisen due to efficiency gains achieved in dealing with the increased number of IVA registrations. There were 11,651 IVAs registered in 2004–05 and 24,947 in 2005–06.

Israel and Palestine: Hebron

Baroness Tonge: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What recent discussions they have had with the Israeli Government concerning the situation in Hebron.

Lord Triesman: We have not had any recent discussions with the Israeli Government regarding the situation in Hebron.

Manufacturing: Motor Vehicles

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What measures they will take to increase United Kingdom motor vehicle production activity; and what further talks they will have with industry representatives following recent factory closures.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: In 2005, 1.6 million cars and more than 200,000 commercial vehicles were produced in the UK, compared with fewer than 900,000 in the early 1980s. The sector contributes 12.4 per cent. of the UK's export of goods, and £10 billion of added value to the UK economy, and employs 220,000 people.
	Against a background of tough global competition, the department is committed to sustaining this success, for example by implementing the recommendations made by the Automotive Industry and Growth Team, in particular, in the areas of skills, technology and improved business performance. We have invested £13.5 million in the Automotive Academy, and are working with it to help enhance skills levels in this sector. In collaboration with the regional development agencies, we have committed over £9 million to the supply chain groups programme to improve performance of whole supply chains; and we have committed £13.5 million to help establish two centres of excellence in the areas of low-carbon and fuel cell technologies, and intelligent transport systems.
	Ministers and DTI officials have been actively involved in regular discussions with trade associations, company representatives and trade union leaders on a range of issues.

Parliamentary ICT

Earl Attlee: asked the Chairman of Committees:
	How many staff are employed by the House of Lords and seconded to the Parliamentary Information Communications Technology Service.

Lord Brabazon of Tara: When the Parliamentary Information and Communications Technology Service (PICT) was set up in January 2006, 15 members of staff employed by the House of Lords were seconded to it.

Parliamentary ICT

Earl Attlee: asked the Chairman of Committees:
	What is the House of Lords budgetary contribution towards the cost of the Parliamentary Information Communications Technology Service.

Lord Brabazon of Tara: The House of Lords contributes 20 per cent of the cost of shared elements of the services provided by PICT. Services or equipment provided only to one House, and to Members, are recharged in their entirety to the House concerned. Funding contributions to individual projects are decided on a case-by-case basis.

Parliamentary ICT

Earl Attlee: asked the Chairman of Committees:
	What is the turnover rate for House of Lords staff seconded to the Parliamentary Information Communications Technology Service.

Lord Brabazon of Tara: Of the 15 members of staff from the House of Lords seconded to PICT in January 2006, one has subsequently left the organisation and a second has submitted his resignation. However, steps have also been taken to fill a number of vacancies carried over from the previous House of Lords Computer Office. In addition to this, a former House of Lords member of staff has been appointed to the new dedicated role of House of Lords Members' Computing Officer.

Parliamentary ICT

Earl Attlee: asked the Chairman of Committees:
	Whether House of Lords staff seconded to the Parliamentary Information Communications Technology Service also provide services for the House of Commons.

Lord Brabazon of Tara: One of the strategic intentions behind the House of Lords' decision to participate in the Parliamentary Information and Communications Technology Service (PICT) was to ensure that the House could draw on a much larger pool of specialised skills than were previously available. In the new organisation some staff employed by the House of Lords continue to provide services dedicated to the House of Lords, while others now work on joint projects and infrastructure of benefit to both Houses. Equally, there are now staff employed by the House of Commons in PICT who are providing services and expertise to the House of Lords.

Parliamentary ICT

Earl Attlee: asked the Chairman of Committees:
	How the Parliamentary Information Communications Technology Service differentiates between a complaint and a request for technical support.

Lord Brabazon of Tara: All requests for technical support are logged by PICT and appropriate action is taken to resolve the issue. Technical support is defined as addressing a fault in either hardware or software; and assistance in using software is also deemed as technical support. It is PICT policy that complaints are also logged and escalated to appropriate managers for response and appropriate follow-up action. Complaints may be defined as such by the caller, if they are not satisfied with a service, or through the escalation process either by a senior manager or the customer service team, should they decide that customer feedback is tantamount to a complaint.

Parliamentary ICT

Earl Attlee: asked the Chairman of Committees:
	Whether an independent user satisfaction survey was undertaken in respect of the Parliamentary Information Communications Technology Service or the previous computer service; and, if so, whether the findings were published.

Lord Brabazon of Tara: The House of Lords conducted an independent survey of Members' views on the House's services and facilities in 2004. No similar survey has been carried out since the formation of the Parliamentary Information and Communications Technology Service in January 2006. PICT is committed to maintaining accreditation with the Helpdesk Institute and this would require that regular surveys of user satisfaction are carried out in the future.

Parliamentary Ombudsman

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 29 March (WA 126), on how many occasions since 1997, and in respect of which specific recommendations, the Office of Communications has refused or omitted to give effect to the recommendations of the Parliamentary Ombudsman.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Office of Communications (Ofcom) assumed its full powers as the communications regulator on 29 December 2003. There have been no occasions where Ofcom has refused or omitted to give details to the recommendations of the Parliamentary Ombudsman.

Parliamentary Ombudsman

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Warner on 3 May (WA 86), where the information is held as to occasions since 1997 when the Department of Health has refused or omitted to give effect to the recommendations of the Parliamentary Ombudsman; and how members of the public may have access to that information.

Lord Warner: This information has not been held centrally, but I refer the noble Lord to the reply I gave on 16 May at column WA 27.

Peace Protesters

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What offence or offences peace protesters at Menwith Hill have committed during 2006.

Lord Drayson: During 2006 the following offences have been committed by protesters at Menwith Hill:
	
		
			  
			 Criminal Damage 1 
			 Obstruction of the Highway 2 
			 Criminal Trespass 2 offenders arrested together 
			 Assault on Police 1

Prisoners: Foreign Nationals

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the nationalities of all non-British nationals currently serving custodial sentences in the United Kingdom.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Information on the nationality of prisoners serving custodial sentences in the United Kingdom is given in tables 1 to 3 attached.
	A small proportion of prisoners have no nationality recorded. Work is being undertaken between NOMS, the Prison Service and the IND to reduce the number of sentenced prisoners in England and Wales with no nationality recorded.
	
		Table 1: Nationality recorded for immediate custodial sentenced prisoners in establishments in England and Wales on -- 31 March 2006
		
			 Nationality Number 
			 Total 62,801 
			 Afghanistan 39 
			 Albania 74 
			 Algeria 89 
			 Angola 45 
			 Anguilla 1 
			 Argentina 2 
			 Armenia 6 
			 Australia 18 
			 Austria 8 
			 Azerbaijan 1 
			 Bahamas 5 
			 Bangladesh 114 
			 Barbados 21 
			 Belgium 29 
			 Belize 1 
			 Bermuda 1 
			 Bolivia 4 
			 Bosnia-Herzegovina 3 
			 Botswana 4 
			 Brazil 37 
			 Bulgaria 10 
			 Burma 2 
			 Burundi 7 
			 Cambodia 1 
			 Cameroon, United Republic 17 
			 Canada 18 
			 Canton and Enderbury Islands 1 
			 Central African Republic 7 
			 Chile 8 
			 China 163 
			 Columbia 106 
			 Congo 55 
			 Costa Rica 2 
			 Cote D'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) 11 
			 Croatia 7 
			 Cuba 1 
			 Cyprus 51 
			 Czech Republic 17 
			 Dahomey (Benin) 7 
			 Denmark 9 
			 Dominica 5 
			 Dominican Republic 10 
			 Ecuador 12 
			 Egypt 8 
			 Equatorial Guinea 2 
			 Estonia 9 
			 Ethiopia 31 
			 Fiji 10 
			 Finland 2 
			 France 109 
			 French Southern Territories 1 
			 French Guiana 2 
			 Gambia 18 
			 Georgia 14 
			 Germany 91 
			 Ghana 145 
			 Gibraltar 1 
			 Greece 13 
			 Grenada 26 
			 Guinea 3 
			 Guyana 33 
			 Haiti 1 
			 Hong Kong 7 
			 Hungary 13 
			 India 164 
			 Indonesia 4 
			 Iran 90 
			 Iraq 145 
			 Irish Republic 574 
			 Israel 13 
			 Italy 89 
			 Jamaica 1,198 
			 Japan 1 
			 Jordan 4 
			 Kazakhstan 3 
			 Kenya 42 
			 Kiribati 1 
			 Korea, Republic of (South Korea) 3 
			 Kuwait 5 
			 Kyrgyzstan 5 
			 Lao People's Democratic Republic 1 
			 Latvia 32 
			 Lebanon 8 
			 Liberia 18 
			 Libya 9 
			 Lithuania 99 
			 Macedonia 5 
			 Malawi 6 
			 Malaysia 15 
			 Mali 1 
			 Malta 5 
			 Mauritania 1 
			 Mauritius 14 
			 Mexico 9 
			 Moldova 17 
			 Mongolia 3 
			 Montserrat 14 
			 Morocco 32 
			 Mozambique 1 
			 Namibia 7 
			 Netherlands 115 
			 Netherlands Antilles 19 
			 New Zealand 7 
			 Niger 1 
			 Nigeria 675 
			 Norway 4 
			 Oman 1 
			 Pakistan 313 
			 Panama 2 
			 Papua New Guinea 1 
			 Paraguay 1 
			 Peru 1 
			 Philippines 8 
			 Poland 97 
			 Portugal 117 
			 Romania 87 
			 Russia 62 
			 Rwanda 2 
			 Sao Tome and Principe 1 
			 Saudi Arabia 5 
			 Senegal 2 
			 Serbia and Montenegro 60 
			 Seychelles 2 
			 Sierra Leone 42 
			 Singapore 1 
			 Slovakia 8 
			 Slovenia 2 
			 Somalia 193 
			 South Africa 116 
			 Spain 68 
			 Sri Lanka 85 
			 St Christopher and Nevis 1 
			 St Kitts and Nevis 2 
			 St Lucia 23 
			 St Vincent and The Grenadines 10 
			 Sudan 20 
			 Surinam 5 
			 Swaziland 1 
			 Sweden 8 
			 Switzerland 4 
			 Syrian Arab Republic 4 
			 Tanzania 13 
			 Thailand 2 
			 Togo 9 
			 Trinidad and Tobago 82 
			 Tunisia 8 
			 Turkey 165 
			 Turkmenistan 1 
			 Uganda 49 
			 United Arab Emirates 7 
			 United Kingdom 55,551 
			 United States of America 67 
			 Uruguay 1 
			 Venezuela 52 
			 Vietnam 69 
			 Virgin Islands 1 
			 Yemen, Republic of 7 
			 Zaire 24 
			 Zambia 13 
			 Zimbabwe 108 
			 Total other 5 
			 Not known/not recorded 182 
		
	
	Note: As recorded on prison IT system.
	
		Table 2: Nationality recorded for sentenced people in prison in Scotland on 30 June 2004
		
			 Nationality Number 
			 Total 5,666 
			 American 2 
			 Australian 1 
			 Belgian 2 
			 Brazilian 2 
			 British 5,594 
			 Canadian 6 
			 Dutch 3 
			 German 1 
			 Indian 2 
			 Iranian 3 
			 Iraqi 2 
			 Italian 2 
			 Libyan 1 
			 Other African 9 
			 Other Commonwealth 8 
			 Other European 9 
			 Pakistani 4 
			 Russian 1 
			 Southern African 5 
			 Southern Irish 7 
			 Spanish 1 
			 Turkish 1 
		
	
	Note:As recorded on Scottish Prison Service's management information database.
	Where no nationality is included, "British" is the default nationality on the Scottish Prison Service management information database; some of the people recorded as British may not be British.
	
		Table 3: Immediate custody prisoners in Northern Ireland by nationality as at 23 February 2006
		
			 Nationality Number 
			 Total 852 
			 Northern Ireland 705 
			 British 89 
			 Republic of Ireland 48 
			 Australia 1 
			 Sierra Leone 1 
			 France 1 
			 South Africa 1 
			 Italy 2 
			 Portugal 1 
			 Algeria 1 
			 Lithuania 2

Sex Offenders: Kevin Hazelwood

Lord Taylor of Warwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Attorney-General will seek to increase the minimum sentence of Kevin Hazelwood following his conviction for child rape.

Lord Goldsmith: On 20 April 2006, Kevin Hazelwood was sentenced to a term of imprisonment for public protection. He will be detained indefinitely, and may not be released until the parole board is satisfied that his continued detention is no longer necessary for public protection. He may not ask the parole board even to consider his case until he has served five years and seven months from the date of sentence. I have decided not to refer his case to the Court of Appeal.
	In my public interest capacity, I have the power to refer certain sentences to the Court of Appeal as unduly lenient. Before doing so, I give very careful consideration to the facts and surrounding circumstances of the case, and am advised by independent, specialist lawyers on the sentence imposed. I have approached this case in this way, and have concluded that, as the law stands, the sentence for public protection imposed on Kevin Hazelwood is not one with which the Court of Appeal would be likely to interfere.

Venezuela

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they are planning to take to improve relations with President Chávez and Ministers in the Venezuelan Government.

Lord Triesman: We are committed to maintaining an active relationship with the Venezuelan Government. We have many shared interests, including energy, trade and the fight against illegal drugs. Our embassy in Caracas is active in promoting co-operation on these issues with the Venezuelan Government. We continue to look for appropriate ways of developing our bilateral relationship. We are also active within the EU in helping to develop and maintain constructive working relations with Venezuela.